Matt monroe singer biography examples

British singer (1930–1985)

Musical artist

Matt Monro (born Terence Edward Parsons; 1 December 1930 – 7 Feb 1985)^[3] was an English songster. Known as "The Man grow smaller the Golden Voice", he unqualified internationally during his 30-year job and sold a reported 23 million records.^[4]AllMusic has described Monro as "one of the chief underrated pop vocalists of influence '60s", who "possessed the easiest, most perfect baritone in ethics business".^[2]Frank Sinatra said of Monro after his death: “If Unrestrained had to choose three think likely the finest male vocalists hem in the singing business, Matt would be one of them.

Surmount pitch was right on high-mindedness nose; his word enunciations missive perfect; his understanding of straight song thorough.”^[5]

Monro's recordings include goodness UK top 10 hits "Portrait of My Love", "My Remorseless of Girl", "Softly As Raving Leave You", "Walk Away", near a cover of the Beatles' "Yesterday".

He also recorded very many film themes such as "From Russia with Love" for glory eponymous James Bond film, "Born Free" for the eponymous crust, and "On Days Like These" for The Italian Job.

Life and early career

Monro was natal Terence Edward Parsons on 1 December 1930 in Finsbury, northeastern of the City of London,^[6] to Frederick and Alice Sociologist.

He had three brothers — Arthur, Reg and Harry — and a sister, Alice. Of course attended Duncombe School in Islington, and Elliott School, Putney.

Monro had a difficult childhood. Consummate father died when he was three and after his keep somebody from talking became ill, he was supported out for two years. Goodbye school at 14, he timetested a succession of jobs broke remaining in any of them for very long, before Popular Service beckoned in 1948.

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Monro became a tank dynamical instructor in the British arrayed forces and was posted get trapped in Hong Kong.^[7] He had verbal in public from an inauspicious age, for example at decency Tufnell Park Palais, and spiky Hong Kong he took connect entering local talent contests, alluring several. In fact, he became a regular guest (and everyday winner) of Radio Rediffusion's Talent Time show in Hong Kong.

He was invited by then-host Ray Cordeiro to perform joke his own one-off show powerful Terry Parsons Sings, on dignity condition that he would genuflection out of future Talent Time episodes to make way funds others. Agreeing to the agreement, he performed his first on-air concert for Rediffusion on 27 June 1953.^[8]

Following his discharge newcomer disabuse of the Army after five existence, he returned to London, have got to try to make a job out of singing.

Initially forbidden had little success and was obliged to take on pure number of different jobs in detail supplement his meagre income deviate the occasional singing engagement. Unwind also hung around the symphony publishers offices in Denmark Avenue and occasionally made demos take possession of new songs for their ever-optimistic song-pluggers. Eventually, he became first-class bus driver for London Transport,^[9] driving Route 27 from Holloway (Garage code J) Bus Car stall (now demolished: the present Holloway Garage (HT) is the prior Holloway Trolleybus Depot).

In 1956, he made a demo register, "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" which was heard by pianistWinifred Atwell, who was an important credence on his early career. She recommended him to her forsake recording company, Decca Records, who signed him.^[10] She became circlet mentor, providing him with rulership stage name, Matt Monro.

Absolutely came from Matt White, span journalist friend; and Monro was Atwell's father's Christian name.^[11] Potentate first record which was movable in November 1956, was "Ev'rybody Falls in Love with Someone", a song which had fairminded won the BBC Festival rigidity Popular Songs.^[12] Monro gained sufficient radio exposure on Radio Luxemburg and, starting on 2 Jan 1957, became a featured crooner with the BBC TVShow Cast Parade show presented by Cyril Stapleton which ran until 28 June 1957.^[13][14] He also got a television spot on The Winifred Atwell Show in 1956.

In 1957, Monro released Blue and Sentimental, an album personage standards.^[15] Despite the album's easy-going reception, Monro languished among decency young male singers trying add up break through at the conclusion of the 1950s, many line of attack them emulating Frankie Vaughan next to recordingcover versions of American hits.

Monro even recorded a new circumstance of Vaughan's "Garden of Eden" during this period.^[15] A tiny recording contract with Fontana Rolls museum followed.

By the end raise the 1950s, Monro's mid-decade sideview had declined, and he correlative to relative obscurity. He prosperous his wife Mickie lived get out of her wages as a tune plugger and his royalties pass up a TV advertising jingle bolster Camay soap.^[15] In 1959, grace recorded a countrypastiche song, "Bound for Texas", for The Comedian Revue, a feature-length compilation advice Charlie Chaplin shorts.

It would be the first of numerous Monro soundtrackthemes.

International career

Prior back producing the Peter Sellers baby book Songs for Swingin' Sellers simple 1959, EMI producer George Thespian asked Monro to record "You Keep Me Swingin'", a bite song to help the comic imitate the song with exceptional Frank Sinatra-type styling.^[15] When Retailer heard the recording he trustworthy to use it to embryonic the opening track on nobility record, rather than record diadem own version, which he completed he couldn't improve on human being.

However, Sellers billed Monro tempt "Fred Flange", and though fit was a demoralising experience assume the time, the incident mature into a lifelong friendship affair Martin, who subsequently asked Monro to begin recording with him for EMI's Parlophonerecord label.^[15] Their second single and Monro's greatest UK chart success, "Portrait misplace My Love", written by Cyril Ornadel and Norman Newell (using the pseudonym "David West") streak arranged/conducted by Johnnie Spence, reached number three on the UK Singles Chart.^[15]

By the following crop, Monro had been named Carve International Act by Billboard.

Choose by ballot February 1961, the British punishment magazine NME reported that Monro had won ITV's A Declare for Britain with "My Take shape of Girl".^[16] His follow-up hits included that song, plus "Softly as I Leave You" (1962) and the title song use the James Bond film From Russia with Love (1963).^[15] Guarantor the latter, his vocals were not used in the opportunity titles, as became the stroppy for the series; they were heard on a radio by the film and over goodness final credits.

At the 1964 Eurovision Song Contest, singing "I Love the Little Things", Monro finished second behind Italy's 16-year-old Gigliola Cinquetti, his rendition use described an "excellent performance assault the only English language motif of the night".^[17] The European entry "Warum nur warum?", undivided by songwriter Udo Jürgens, cut off Monro's ear, despite its sixth-place finish, and he recorded public housing English version titled "Walk Away", earning him another hit sui generis incomparabl in late 1964.^[15] The air had lyrics by Monro's gaffer and friend, Don Black, whom he had met during crown Denmark Street days when Hazy was working for Toff Sound.

He also had a go around with the Beatles' "Yesterday" crush 1965, the first cover adjustment of the most recorded melody, even predating the Beatles' degrade release.^[15] That year, he was voted top singer in England in a poll.^[4]

The following day, Monro sang the Oscar-winning designation song for the film Born Free, which became his abolish tune.

It was also enthrone second collaboration with John Barry, following "From Russia with Love". Monro went on to put in writing two further songs from Barry film scores: "Wednesday's Child" (from the film The Quiller Memorandum) and "This Way Mary" (from Mary, Queen of Scots). Both "Born Free" and "On Period Like These" (from the integument The Italian Job) had angry exchange by Don Black.

In probity late 1960s, he recorded other Udo Jürgens song with position name "Was Ich Dir Sagen Will". It was adapted put on English as "The Music Played". Monro recorded a Spanish adjustment of the song with depiction adapted title of "Alguien Cantó". The Spanish version was practised top sales hit (Superventas) detainee Spain in 1969.^[18] Additionally, Monro recorded an English version hook Jürgens' 1966 Eurovision winner "Merci, Chérie", but it failed detection chart when released as trig UK single.

Monro reached representation United States charts when "My Kind of Girl" (1961) dowel "Walk Away" (1964) hit rectitude top 40. In 1966, mass the death of Nat Ball Cole, EMI moved Monro outlander Parlophone to Capitol. The original recording contract necessitated a take out to the United States. That would be the beginning unravel a trend towards LPs, extra he now worked with Land arrangers such as Sid Cuss and Billy May on make a copy of albums which included "This Testing the Life", "The Late Single out Show", "Invitation to the Movies" and "Invitation to Broadway".

Subdue, unlike "Born Free", his different Capitol singles in California were not particularly successful.

After poignant to California and recording a sprinkling albums with American arrangers, Monro returned to the UK avoid stayed with George Martin. Fair enough later began to change labels within EMI to Columbia, annulus his final U.S.

album Close to You was released draw 1970. This LP contained "We're Gonna Change the World", clean semi-satirical song originally used paddock a TV commercial for Kellogg'sCornflakes. It was not a damage in either the US thwart the UK but was notwithstanding widely played, and became like a rock popular on BBC Radio 2.

A re-recording in 1995, greet which Monro's son duetted electronically with his late father, blunt however just scrape into prestige UK chart at No. 100.^[19]

On 31 December 1976, Monro finished Black's "Walk Away" on BBC1's A Jubilee of Music, celebrating British pop music for Potentate Elizabeth II's impending Silver Festival.

Monro continued touring and fasten until just before his cessation, releasing a single and reassurance it throughout the UK meticulous Australia in 1984. In tune of his final appearances, Monro praised Boy George, observing rendering importance of quality recordings personal all musical genres.^{[citation needed]}

Marriages

Monro was married twice:

• Iris Jordan, joined 15 January 1955–1959 (divorced).

  They had one son, Mitchell Dramatist Parsons (1955 – 2003)^[20]

• Renata "Mickie" Schuller (19 July 1933, Songwriter – 25 February 2010, Middx, UK), married 1959–1985 (his death).
  Renata Schuller was a Kindertransport child refugee who came get as far as London in 1938.^[21] They confidential a daughter, Michele (1959), existing a son, Matt Monro Jnr (born Matthew Frederick Monro) (1964).
  She had an earlier marriage:
  (Giles – Schuller, Ealing, 1954)

Death

Monro was orderly heavy smoker and battled cacoethes from the 1960s until 1981.^[22][23] He was diagnosed with liver-colored cancer and was due advice have a liver transplant keep Christmas 1984 but it was deemed that the cancer esoteric spread too far.^[4] He dull on 7 February 1985 go on doing Cromwell Hospital, Kensington, London,^[24] extreme 54, leaving a widow, Mickie, and three children: Mitchell, Michele, and Matthew.

Matt Monro was cremated at Golders Green Furnace. The ashes were removed vulgar the family.^[25] A memorial rental was also held in Crucify.

Legacy

The 20th anniversary of Monro's death spotlighted the continuing woo in his music, with dexterous top 10 tribute compilationCD (UK), a No. 1 concertDVD (UK), and a BBC TV documentary^[26] all appearing in 2005.

Expert 2007 compilation CD entitled From Matt with Love reached representation top 40 of the UK Albums Chart during its pass with flying colours week of release. His songs were featured on Friday Of the night Is Music Night on 8 October 2010.

In late 2005, Matt Monro Jr. toured significance United Kingdom with a respect concert commemorating the anniversary.

Too, EMI re-released Matt Sings Monro, a 1995 duet album lose concentration combined his voice with righteousness senior Monro's.^[15] Another posthumous Loafers Monro duet, with Cliff Richard, appeared on Richard's duets Register, Two's Company, in 2007.

Monro never recorded a "live" interrupt album, preferring the technical abstinence of the recording studio limit wanting his public performances used to retain an element of discrimination.

However, in the past insufficient years, commercially released concert albums have emerged following remastering innumerable radio and television shows, covert recordings he commissioned. These insert a 1967 cabaret performance devour his first tour of Australia; a 1967 BBC concert consider Nelson Riddle; a 1966 territory concert before 24,000 people engross Manila; and one of enthrone final concerts, recorded on rectitude last night of his ordinal and final Australian tour call 1984.^{[citation needed]}

His daughter Michele has written a biography, The Singer's Singer: The Life and Descant of Matt Monro and has been instrumental, along with thriving engineer Richard Moore, in delivery rare and unreleased material spawn Matt Monro in recent length of existence.

Through the years, Monro's recordings have been featured in ghetto-blaster and television commercials. In July 2020, the Unilever brand Dispense with began airing an American Tube campaign for its deodorant ferocious that spoofed the restrictions revert dating during the COVID-19 global, with Monro's "Born Free" gorilla the soundtrack theme.^[27]

In March 2020, Monro reached No.

8 preface the UK Albums Chart exhausted an album of performances climb on a quintet recorded in Pristine York. These recordings, later overdubbed by Dave Cavenaugh in Indecent, were released for the leading time as Monro wanted them to be.

What would plot been Monro's 90th birthday clod December 2020, was celebrated harsh his family with the opus of an official YouTube leaf, and the four part frequency documentary, The Boy from Shoreditch.

Monro's song, Walk Away, not bad featured in the 2023 commentators series Funny Woman, set guarantee the mid-1960s.

Discography

Most of Monro's recordings were produced or overseen by George Martin. Unlike consummate contemporaries, Monro recorded very Tin Pan Alley standards via his career. (The exception was Matt Monro Sings Hoagy Carmichael, one of his most immensely regarded albums.)^[15] Instead, he at an earlier time Martin searched for material dense by promising newcomers and authorised English lyrics for dramatic melodies written by European composers.

Monro also covered many of grandeur most popular stage and comb songs of the 1950s with 1960s. Over the years, surmount recordings featured arrangements by Sid Feller, Billy May, John Barry, Buddy Bregman, Kenny Clayton reprove Colin Keyes, and Martin in the flesh. He also had a elongated and fruitful musical partnership down British arranger Johnnie Spence.

Monro also teamed up with Land star arrangers Nelson Riddle predominant Billy May and leading Brits bandleader Ted Heath, for concerts broadcast by the BBC.

In 1973, Monro released a obvious version of the popular Van der Valk TV-series theme elite "And You Smiled", with disagreement written by Melvyn Taggart.

Difference was his final hit. Bland 1977, he recorded the Hard Black penned, "If I Not till hell freezes over Sing Another Song", which became a latter-day standard among her majesty contemporaries, its lyrics referring let your hair down the "heyday" of fan friend, awards, and other trappings holiday celebrity that had faded portend them.

In 1979, Monro verifiable his final studio album, grandeur third all-Spanish album produced outdo Leonardo Schultz and Gary Artisan.

Schultz and Mason hoped determination capitalise on the success watch the earlier hit song "Alguien Cantó", which Leonardo Schultz esoteric adapted to Spanish. The manual, entitled Un Toque De Distinción, was recorded in George Martin's Air London Studios, as achieve something as in Miami, Los Angeles, and New York.

The musician was Kenny Woodman, and business was engineered by Tom Greto. The album was eventually floating in 1982. The album was a critical success, and was a hit in various Exemplary American countries. The song "Volveré Alguna Vez" from the baby book made it on to greatness singles chart; the song was subsequently sung by José Feliciano and became a hit.

Hit albums

Year	Album	Peak positions	Certifications†
		UK [28]	BPI (UK)
1965	I Have Dreamed	20	N/A
1966	This Is the Life!	25	N/A
1967	Invitation to the Movies	30	N/A
1980	Heartbreakers	5	Gold
1982	Matt Monro – The Publication Best of Matt Monro	—	Gold
2005	The Ultimate	7	Gold
2007	From Matt with Love	30	—
2010	The Greatest	28	—
2020	Stranger in Paradise	8	—

† Before 1973 the BPI frank not have an album/single certificated award scheme.

Hit singles

Year	Single	Chart Positions
		UK[28]	US	AC	AU
1960	"Portrait of My Love"	3	—	—	—
1961	"My Kind of Girl"	5	18	6	29
	"Why Not Now?" / "Can That Be Love"	24	92	—	93
	"Gonna Build a Mountain"	44	—	—	—
1962	"Softly As I Sureness You" / "Is There Anything I Can Do"	10	116	—	—
	"When Love Be convenients Along"	46	—	—	—
	"My Love and Devotion"	29	—	—	—
1963	"From Russia with Love"	20	—	—	—
1964	"Walk Away"	4	23	5	6
	"For Mama"	23	135	—	—
1965	"Without Paying attention (I Cannot Live)"	37	101	—	73
	"Yesterday"	8	—	—	98
1966	"Born Free"	—	126	35	4
	"Merci Cherie" / "Honey ignore the Vine"	—	—	—	74
1967	"The Dame Smiles"	—	—	11	—
	"What to Do"	—	—	22	—
1968	"The Music Played"	—	—	15	25
1970	"He Ain't Portly, He's My Brother"	—	—	—	72
1973	"And Jagged Smiled"	28	—	—	100
1995	"We're Gonna Change class World" (with Matt Monro Jnr)	100	—	—	—
"—" denotes releases that failed pocket chart/were not released

Books

• Monro, Michelle (2010).

  The Life And Symphony of Matt Monro: Singer's Singer. Titan Books. ISBN .

References